Stainless Steel Casters: S304 Grade

Plate sizes: 2-3/8 x 3-5/8, 2-1/2 x 3-5/8, 4 x 4-1/2Diameter: 3 to 12 inTread: 1-1/4, 2, 3 inCapacity: up to 5,000 lb

Stainless steel casters use a stainless rig, axle and hardware, so washdown, steam and salt air do not rust them the way they rust zinc-plated steel. About 250 models are here, mostly Hamilton, from 225 lb on 3 in gray TPR casters to 5,000 lb on polyurethane-on-aluminum wheels. Wheel choices include polyurethane, nylon, stainless steel, phenolic, polyolefin and rubber, each with its own temperature range. Pick the wheel for your floor and cleaning chemicals, then the plate.

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Wheel = wheel diameter · capacity is per caster.

Stainless Steel Plate Mount Cas...250 styles

Stainless Steel Casters: buying guide

S304 stainless steel casters for washdown, food, medical and salt-air use, with stainless rigs, axles and hardware. About 250 models from 3 to 12 in, rated 225 to 5,000 lb.

3 to 12 in225 to 5,000 lb per caster10 wheel optionsMostly Hamilton

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3" Stainless Swivel TPR

225 lb

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4" Stainless Swivel TPR

300 lb

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5" Stainless Swivel TPR

300 lb

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3" Stainless Poly Swivel

300 lb

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4" Stainless Rigid Poly

800 lb

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6" Stainless Rigid Poly

1,200 lb

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6" Stainless Phenolic

1,200 lb

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Hamilton 6" Stainless Poly

2,20...

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Wheel options on stainless rigs

Wheel	Rated load per caster	Listed temperature	Mostly from
Polyurethane on aluminum	450 to 5,000 lb	-50 to 200°F (most)	Hamilton
Nylon	750 to 3,200 lb	-30 to 220°F or -40 to 210°F	Hamilton
Stainless steel	750 to 3,200 lb	-40 to 180°F or -40 to 250°F	Hamilton
Phenolic	750 to 3,200 lb	Up to 250°F	Hamilton, CasterHQ
Solid polyurethane	750 to 1,250 lb	-50 to 180°F (Hamilton), -45 to 180°F (CasterHQ)	Hamilton, CasterHQ
Polyurethane on polyolefin	275 to 900 lb	-30 to 180°F (most)	Hamilton, CasterHQ
Polyolefin	240 to 900 lb	-20 to 200°F (Hamilton), -40 to 180°F (CasterHQ)	Hamilton, CasterHQ
Gray TPR on polyolefin	225 to 675 lb	See listing	CasterHQ
Hard rubber	300 to 350 lb	-40 to 160°F	CasterHQ
Rubber on polyolefin	300 to 520 lb	-40 to 180°F	Hamilton

Grouped from product fields [S1].

Matching wheel to environment

Daily washdown and food plants: nylon, polyolefin or solid polyurethane. None of them has a bonded tread to come loose when wet. Hamilton's polyolefin absorbs no water and handles steam or detergent cleaning [S2].
Retorts, ovens and hot carts: stainless steel or phenolic wheels to 250°F, or nylon to 220°F. Note that some stainless wheels list only 180°F, which usually reflects the bearing or seal, so check the listing.
Heavy carts on smooth concrete: polyurethane on aluminum, up to 5,000 lb. Aluminum does not rust, so the core holds up in wet areas better than iron.
Quiet carts in hospitals, labs and kitchens: gray TPR or rubber. Softer treads are quieter and grip better but carry less.

Plate sizes

The common plates here are 4 x 4-1/2 in (heavy and medium duty), 4 x 5 in, 2-1/2 x 3-5/8 in and 2-3/8 x 3-5/8 in (light duty), with 5-1/4 x 7-1/4 in on the largest Hamilton models [S1]. Measure your bolt holes before ordering, since stainless rigs from different makers do not always share a hole pattern.

Limits

Stainless costs more than plated steel. Use it where rust is a real problem.
Hard wheels on a stainless rig are still hard: nylon, phenolic and stainless wheels are loud and give no cushion.
Some listings are wheel-only or have missing fields. If a temperature is not listed, ask before using the caster near heat.

Kitchen tables: stainless work table casters. Wheels by material: nylon, polyolefin, phenolic.

Stainless caster questions

What does S304 mean on a caster?

It is the 304 grade of stainless steel, the common food-service and washdown grade. On these casters it is used for the rig, axle and hardware.

Which wheel is best for a washdown area?

Nylon, polyolefin or solid polyurethane, since none has a bonded tread that water can work under.

How much can a stainless steel caster hold?

On this page, from 225 lb for a 3 in gray TPR caster up to 5,000 lb for a Hamilton polyurethane-on-aluminum caster.

Are stainless casters good for ovens?

With the right wheel. Stainless steel and phenolic wheels list up to 250°F. Check each listing, since some are rated only to 180°F.

Jordan Wilson, CasterHQ · reviewed October 20, 2026 · 844-439-4335 · info@casterhq.com

Sources

[S1] CasterHQ product fields (rated load, diameter, width, wheel and core material, temperature range, mount) and product descriptions for the items on this page, pulled October 20, 2026.
[S2] Hamilton Caster, Aqualite polyolefin wheels (hamiltoncaster.com): 75 Shore D, impervious to water, brine, oil and most common acids and solvents, zero water absorption, steam or detergent cleanable, -20 to 140°F and intermittently to 220°F, not for continuous towline service.

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″, slotted to 3″

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-15/16″ slotted to 2-3/8″ × 3-3/8″

BHP: 2-5/8” X 3-5/8” (Slotted to 3” x 3”)

BHP: 2-7/16" x 4-15/16" slotted to 3-3/8" x 5-1/4"

(3″ Wide Casters), Industry-Standard

BHP: 3-3/8" x 5-1/4" slotted to 4-1/8" x 6-1/8"

BHP: 4-1/8" x 6" slotted to 4-1/2" x 6-1/8"

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Stainless Steel Casters: S304 Grade

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Stainless Steel Casters: buying guide

Shop Stainless Casters

Wheel options on stainless rigs

Matching wheel to environment

Plate sizes

Limits

Stainless caster questions

Sources